On Saturday, Ben Wallace had his No. 3 jersey retired by the Pistons. Wallace, who helped the Pistons win an NBA title in 2004, is among the better defensive players in NBA history and had a large impact on a young Draymond Green. Ahead of Wallace’s big day, Green described what Wallace meant to him growing up.
Green, who was born and raised in Michigan, wrote a touching letter to Wallace, which appeared in the Detroit Free Press. Here is an excerpt.
The day came where I was able to build a relationship with Ben and, to this day, he continues to be a big brother to me. Here we are about 10 years later and a common story line has surfaced — how am I able to do what I do while undersized, just like Ben. I refuse to be outworked and I consider myself to have the heart of a lion. As I sit now, I begin to ponder, “Why was Ben’s path directed to Detroit, where I could watch every game he played?”
The only answer I can come up with is that God placed him there because a kid from Saginaw was watching with a dream of playing in the NBA. This kid would also be considered undersized, but had that similar drive and a heart that never stops pumping with determination to never be denied. It is only fitting that with my return to Michigan only a day away to play in my home state against the Detroit Pistons, Big Ben’s jersey is being retired. I feel it is only right to say THANK YOU.
Thank you, Mr. Wallace, for showing me that it is possible to make it to the NBA and wreak havoc while being undersized! Hopefully, there is a kid watching me and wondering the same things I did about you, realizing that man does not have the ability to judge what’s in another man’s heart!
Congrats, Big Ben.All the best,
Draymond Green
Those who remember watching Wallace likely shared the same sentiment about him as Green. Listed at 6’9″, Wallace was able to affect the game on defense in ways you would expect a seven-footer to. The same can be said for Green, listed at 6’7″. While Green is a gifted passer and has the ability to hit three-pointers, he is also an extremely versatile defender, able to guard anyone on the floor and is a key to the Warriors having among the better defenses in the league.
It’s fitting the Warriors were in town on Saturday so Green would be in the building for Wallace’s special day. Not only was it an emotional day for Pistons fans, but Green as well.
